Equifax Data Breach
Are you one of the 143 million Americans affected by the Equifax data breach? While it is always important to monitor your credit reports, bank statements, and credit card activity, if you count yourself among the nearly 50% of the U.S. population that was affected by this most recent data breach, you may want visit the FTC's website for helpful tips on additional actions to consider taking to help protect your identity and credit. They have a specific section on the page dedicated to this cyber hack.
One of the steps that the FTC recommends victims take is to file your taxes early. The government recommends doing this, as scammers can file taxes using your information in an attempt to claim a tax refund in your name. According to the FTC, "Tax Identity Theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job." Also, the FTC says not to "...believe anyone who calls and says you'll be arrested unless you pay for taxes or debt - even if they have part or all of your Social Security number, or they say they're from the IRS."
It is important to remain vigilant in the wake of this massive breach and you may consider using a credit/identity monitoring service to help protect you from the fallout from such hacks. Such services include, but are not limited to, LifeLock and similar services provided by all three of the major credit reporting agencies - TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax (SAS does not endorse nor is SAS receiving payment from any of these service providers).
If you need help filing your taxes, reach out to Sandvik Accounting Services, SAS, for more information on our tax preparation services and pricing!
One of the steps that the FTC recommends victims take is to file your taxes early. The government recommends doing this, as scammers can file taxes using your information in an attempt to claim a tax refund in your name. According to the FTC, "Tax Identity Theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job." Also, the FTC says not to "...believe anyone who calls and says you'll be arrested unless you pay for taxes or debt - even if they have part or all of your Social Security number, or they say they're from the IRS."
It is important to remain vigilant in the wake of this massive breach and you may consider using a credit/identity monitoring service to help protect you from the fallout from such hacks. Such services include, but are not limited to, LifeLock and similar services provided by all three of the major credit reporting agencies - TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax (SAS does not endorse nor is SAS receiving payment from any of these service providers).
If you need help filing your taxes, reach out to Sandvik Accounting Services, SAS, for more information on our tax preparation services and pricing!
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